Chapter 7
The memory was a nightmare in high definition.
Diana watched from the corner of the office, a ghost in her own past. Authur Wilcox was sitting at his desk, a weary but peaceful smile on his face. He was packing a box of personal items, preparing to hand the reins of the company over to Davion.
"Diana," he said, looking up at the spot where she stood in the dream, though she knew he was speaking to the memory of her. "You don't have to worry anymore. The Alston name will protect you now. Davion will take care of the company. You just focus on being happy."
Before the memory of Diana could respond, the heavy oak doors of the office were kicked open.
Three men in dark suits strode in, their faces grim. Behind them, two uniformed officers filled the doorway. The logo on their jackets was unmistakable: FBI.
"Authur Wilcox?" the lead agent said, his voice clipped and professional.
Authur stood up slowly, the color draining from his face. But he didn't look surprised. He looked... resigned.
"I'm Agent Miller," the man said, stepping forward and pulling out a pair of handcuffs. "You are under arrest for fraud, conspiracy, and gross negligence resulting in the collapse of the Bay Bridge project. You have the right to remain silent..."
The words faded into a dull roar in Diana's ears. The Bay Bridge project? That was a Wilcox Group project from years ago, a massive infrastructure deal that had been hailed as a triumph. She had never heard of any collapse.
"No!" the memory of Diana screamed, rushing forward. "You can't take him! He didn't do anything!"
She tried to grab the agent's arm, but she was a phantom, her hands passing right through him. She could only watch as the cold steel cuffs were snapped around her father's wrists.
Authur turned to her, his eyes calm despite the chaos. "Diana, listen to me. Don't fight this. Go home. Call Montgomery. He will take care of you."
"Dad, I won't leave you!" she cried, the tears streaming down her face.
Authur took a step toward her, the agents allowing a brief moment. "I made a choice, sweetheart. I knew this day was coming. I just needed to make sure you were safe first."
He leaned in and kissed her forehead, the cold metal of the cuffs pressing against her skin. "Be strong. I love you."
They dragged him away. Diana watched his back disappear through the door, the sound of the handcuffs clinking echoing in the silent office.
The present-day Diana, burning with fever in the penthouse bed, gasped for air. The truth was a physical blow, knocking the wind out of her.
He had known. He had known the FBI was closing in. He had known his company was going to be torn apart, his reputation destroyed. He could have used Montgomery's favor to save himself, to get the best lawyers, to make the charges disappear.
Instead, he had used it to force the Alstons to accept her. He had traded his freedom for her safety.
And Curtis... Curtis thought she was a gold digger. He thought she had manipulated her way into his family to save her father's failing business. He had no idea that her father was rotting in a federal prison cell so that she could wear this diamond necklace and sleep in this cold, empty bed.
The fever spiked, a wave of intense heat that made her skin feel like it was on fire. She thrashed on the bed, the sheets twisting around her legs like chains.
"Dad..." she moaned, her voice hoarse and broken. "I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
The dream finally fractured, dissolving into a meaningless swirl of heat and shadow. Diana surfaced into a groggy, sweat-soaked consciousness, the agonizing memories clinging to her like a shroud as she tossed and turned in the empty bed, completely alone.
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